Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to creating immersive experiences that engage multiple senses and allow users freedom to explore. Working across digital and physical dimensions, this unit focuses on immersive, engaging, sensory-rich experience design that is flexible and self-directed by the user. Through ethnographic research methods, students will gather insights about immersive environments while analysing existing experiences to identify key effectiveness factors. The unit emphasises iterative prototyping and feedback integration, enabling students to develop and refine design solutions that respond to user needs. By completion, students will possess the methodological toolkit to create innovative immersive experiences that thoughtfully balance designer intention with user agency across various contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Conduct basic design ethnography to gather insights about immersive environments.
2	Evaluate and analyse existing immersive experiences to determine what makes them effective.
3	Apply relevant methods to the design of an immersive experience design prototype.
4	Engage in and apply feedback to design decision making and refinement.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Emotional Mapping and Non-Linear Navigation Design	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Design Sprints	Week 10	30 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Immersive Experience Prototype	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Emotional Mapping and Non-Linear Navigation Design

Task Description:

Create an emotional map and design a non-linear navigation experience for an immersive environment.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Effectively applies emotional mapping techniques to plan user emotions throughout the experience.	LO3
2	Designs a non-linear navigation experience that allows for user freedom and exploration.	LO3
3	Analyses user needs and behaviours to inform the emotional mapping and navigation design	LO1
4	Identifies key decision points and paths in the non-linear navigation design.	LO3
5	Synthesises insights from user research to create a cohesive and engaging emotional map.	LO4
6	Develops a visually clear and detailed non-linear navigation design.	LO3
7	Presents the emotional map and navigation design clearly, with well-annotated visual representations and a concise written rational.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Design Sprints

Task Description:

Weeks 1-10 design sprint exercises.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Sprints are highly resolved with appropriate detail, finish and fidelity through the use of appropriate design tools, techniques and practices.	LO4
2	Apply professional visual communication strategies and techniques to present a design project	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Immersive Experience Prototype

Task Description:

You will develop a comprehensive prototype for an immersive experience that integrates storytelling, sensory elements, and user-directed paths.

User Research and Storytelling:
Conduct user research to understand needs and behaviours.
Develop a narrative that will guide the immersive experience.

Multi-Sensory Design and Prototyping:
Design sensory elements that engage multiple senses (e.g., sound, touch, smell).
Create digital prototypes using appropriate tools.

Ethical Considerations:
Identify and address ethical considerations in the design.
Ensure the experience is inclusive and respectful of all users.

Final Prototype and Presentation:
Integrate all elements into a cohesive prototype.
Present the prototype, highlighting key features and user journey.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Applies user research findings to develop a narrative and design sensory elements for the immersive experience.	LO1
2	Analyses user needs and behaviours to inform the design of the immersive experience.	LO1
3	Evaluates the ethical implications of the design and ensures inclusivity.	LO2
4	Critically assesses the effectiveness of the immersive experience prototype in engaging users and addressing their needs.	LO2
5	Integrates storytelling, sensory elements, and user-directed paths into a cohesive and innovative immersive experience prototype.	LO3
6	Presents the final prototype and rational with a well-structured presentation that effectively communicates the design process and outcomes.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.